fire a gun vs fire at

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Fire a gun' is used when talking about shooting a gun or pulling the trigger to discharge a firearm. 'Fire at' is used when indicating the target or direction of the shooting.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 761 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to shooting a gun or pulling the trigger to discharge a firearm.

"fire a gun"

This phrase is used when talking about the action of shooting a gun or pulling the trigger to discharge a firearm. It focuses on the act of firing the weapon.

Examples:

He fired a gun at the target.
She fired a gun into the air.
The police officer fired a gun to stop the criminal.
The soldier fired a gun during the battle.
The hunter fired a gun to bring down the deer.

Show examples from the web [+]

I don't even know how to fire a gun.
I can fire a gun, pa.
They may be colonists, but they still know how to fire a gun.
It's illegal to fire a gun inside the town limits.
I can stand in one state, fire a gun in a second bullet will travel through the third, hitting you in the fourth so you fall dead in the fifth.
Dad, can one of the deputies show me how to fire a gun?
He teach you how to fire a gun?
I mean, I know you can't fire a gun, but can you use a fax?
I know how to fire a gun.
Any man can fire a gun.
I've always wanted to fire a gun.
When you fire a gun, Officer Cooper, it emits microscopic particles.
I've always wanted to fire a gun!
When you fire a gun, the barrel leaves grooves on the bullet.
Well... they're open, but you could fire a gun through The Riv and not hit a paying guest.
You could fire a gun in here, no one would ever know.
If Mr. Tilman took those pills, there's no way he had the presence of mind to fire a gun.
You're not showing the result of what happens when you fire a gun.
So when you lift your arm to fire a gun, your shirt slides back.
Is anyone interested in learning how to fire a gun?

Alternatives:

shoot a gun
pull the trigger of a gun
discharge a firearm
use a firearm
fire a weapon

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when indicating the target or direction of the shooting.

"fire at"

This phrase is used to specify the target or direction of the shooting. It is often followed by the object or location being fired upon.

Examples:

He fired at the target.
She fired at the enemy soldiers.
The police officer fired at the suspect.
The soldier fired at the advancing enemy.
The hunter fired at the deer in the clearing.

Show examples from the web [+]

The men on the hospital loopholes, they've nothing to fire at.
Had a fire at my house.
There was a fire at her place.
There was a fire at Dalton.
Mrs. Grayson, there's been a fire at the gallery.
Linda and Christopher Cavanaugh died in the fire at the end of March.
We were interested in the fire at Yarra Bend.
There's a fire at Bennett Travel.
Years back there was a fire at the boat yard.
I had a fire at the diner.
There was a fire at the abandoned house.
There's been a fire at the weather station.
There was a fire at the school.
The fire at St. Paddy's is set for Sunday Mass.
You know, we're-we're talking to people because there was a fire at her house last night.
He opened fire at innocent people.
Cuban defense forces opened fire at 700 yards.
Tenement fire at 5th and Grand.
The Sheyangs could fire at any moment.
That thing can only fire at one target at a time.

Alternatives:

shoot at
aim at
take a shot at
open fire on
direct fire towards

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fire a gun vs fire at

"fire a gun"

"fire at"

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